10 best weather cities for retirees

1. San Luis Obispo, Calif.

It isn’t easy to define the best weather locations for retirees, because everyone’s interpretation of ideal weather isn’t the same. Some want to spend their golden years soaking up the sun, while others prefer a place where they can be near ski slopes. That said, if you’re looking for what most of us would consider pleasant weather—places with the most sunshine, low amounts of rain or snow, fewest days below 32 degrees or above 90 degrees and low humidity—these locales came to mind for John Brady, of TopRetirements.com, who assembled a list of the 10 best places to retire if weather is your main concern. Brady also tried to be geographically diverse in his picks. After all, many will want to retire in a place near where they already live or near their children. At the top of the TopRetirements.com list: San Luis Obispo, Calif., a city on the Pacific Coast with an average January temperature in the low to mid 50s and an average July temperature in the high 60s. While you can expect rain from December to February, there are clear skies for most of the rest of the year. “We chose San Luis Obispo, but the fact is almost any California city would qualify as a great weather retirement city,” Brady said.

Allen S./Wikipedia

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2. Las Cruces, N.M.

The high altitude of Las Cruces helps to moderate the city’s temperatures throughout the year, and its dry climate is a plus for people who can’t stand humidity. In putting together the TopRetirements.com list, Brady also considered the Milken Institute’s Best Cities for Successful Aging project; Las Cruces placed No. 17 of small metropolitan areas when ranked by weather on Milken’s list. Retirees there also have the benefit of living near New Mexico State University.

MagnusManske/Wikipedia

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3. Medford, Ore.

Oregon might have a reputation as a rainy state, but the farther you get from the coast, the drier it gets. Medford ranks No. 12 on Milken’s list. The climate is ideal for the growing of fruit, and Harry and David, the mail-order fruit and gourmet foods company, is one of the biggest local companies based there.

Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau

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4. Carson City, Nev.

Carson City is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, and nearby Lake Tahoe is an attraction for those interested in recreational activities. Nevada doesn’t have a state income tax, which can also be a plus for residents, Brady said.

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5. Sequim, Wash.

It’s called the “blue hole,” so nicknamed by airline pilots because it’s often the only cloudless spot in the region. The city only gets about 14 inches of rain a year, about the same as Los Angeles. It’s a haven for outdoor recreation as well as boating on Puget Sound.

Fotoluminate/Shutterstock.com

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6. Key West, Fla.

It’s the only frost-free city in the continental U.S., and ranked No. 10 on the Camelot Index, a ranking of locations based on climates that are sunny and mild, with few extremes in temperature, humidity or precipitation. While there is some summer humidity in Key West, the temperature range in the summer is within a small band, Brady said. People who relocate here tend to also appreciate its Victorian homes and island atmosphere.

Louisiana Office of Tourism

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7. Lake Charles, La.

Winter temperatures are warm in this Southwestern Louisiana city, located on Lake Charles, Prien Lake and the Calcasieu River. It ranks No. 20 on the Milken list, the highest-ranked city of any in the central or eastern United States. One downside: its high humidity.

Birdcage On Whisky Row/Wikipedia

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8. Prescott, Ariz.

It’s hot in many parts of Arizona, but weather in the northern part of the state, where cities are higher above sea level—including Prescott, Sedona and Flagstaff—isn’t quite as toasty. Prescott is a popular place with retirees, earning a No. 27 spot on the Milken list. Hot spots include Whiskey Row, at left, where numerous saloons once lined the street.

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9. St. Marys, Ga.

This southern Georgia town, not far from Savannah and just above Jacksonville, Fla., is home to a U.S. Navy submarine base, and is popular with military retirees. Its location near the coast means moderate temperatures year round, and easy access to the beaches and Georgia’s Sea Island. At left, the Cumberland Island National Seashore, adjacent to St. Marys.

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10. Asheville, N.C.

Asheville is a good choice for retirees who still want to experience the four seasons—in moderation. The average July high is 84 degrees and the average January low is 27 degrees, Brady wrote. While its location in the Carolina’s western mountains gives Asheville a touch of winter, it also helps cool down the city in the summer. Honorable mentions: Other cities that came close to making TopRetirements.com’s list: Blacksburg, Va.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; San Angelo, Midland or Odessa, Texas; Florence, S.C.; and Hattiesburg, Miss.

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10. Asheville, N.C.

Asheville is a good choice for retirees who still want to experience the four seasons—in moderation. The average July high is 84 degrees and the average January low is 27 degrees, Brady wrote. While its location in the Carolina’s western mountains gives Asheville a touch of winter, it also helps cool down the city in the summer. Honorable mentions: Other cities that came close to making TopRetirements.com’s list: Blacksburg, Va.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; San Angelo, Midland or Odessa, Texas; Florence, S.C.; and Hattiesburg, Miss.

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